Genre Sitcom Written by Barbara Boothe Original language(s) English Final episode date 13 October 1948 Number of seasons 1 Cast Amanda Randolph | Created by Pat Faye Country of origin United States First episode date 11 August 1948 Network DuMont Television Network Number of episodes 10 | |
Starring Amanda Randolph
Vera Tatum Similar Beulah, The Barbara Stanwyck, Amos 'n' Andy, The Danny Thomas Show | ||
The Laytons was an American sitcom that was broadcast on the now defunct DuMont Television Network, from August to October 1948. The series starred Amanda Randolph, who became the first African-American performer in a regular role on a U.S. network TV series. It co-starred Vera Tatum.
Contents
Overview
According to The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows 1946–Present by Tim Brooks and Earle Marsh, "little is known about the content of this early series". The 30-minute program, produced and distributed by DuMont, aired on Wednesdays at 8pm (ET) on DuMont's affiliate stations. The program had been seen locally on DuMont's New York flagship station WABD, beginning in May/June 1948.
According to Donald Bogle, the series made such a small impression that few remember The Laytons. However, the program paved the way for later TV shows starring or featuring black actors. The final episode of the program aired on October 13, 1948. Later in 1948, Randolph appeared again on DuMont, on a daytime series titled Amanda.
Episode status
As with most DuMont series, no recorded episodes of The Laytons are known to exist.